Peter M Mulier

US Patent:

20010023365, Sep 20, 2001

Filed:

May 3, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/848487

Inventors:

Adel Medhkour - Brooklyn Park MN, US
Michael Hoey - Shoreview MN, US
Peter Mulier - Stillwater MN, US

International Classification:

A61F007/00
A61F007/12

US Classification:

607/099000, 607/105000, 607/113000

Abstract:

The present invention provides an apparatus method for performing rf intraluminal reduction and/or occlusion with a virtual electrode. An apparatus in accord with the present invention includes a catheter and a guide wire. The guide wire includes a conductive core having a proximal end electrically connected to a generator of rf current and an exposed distal end. An insulative material having disposed therein at least one microlumen for providing a conductive fluid to a target site within the lumen encases the guide wire.

US Patent:

20010025178, Sep 27, 2001

Filed:

May 25, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/865591

Inventors:

Peter Mulier - Stillwater MN, US
Michael Hoey - Shoreview MN, US

International Classification:

A61B018/14

US Classification:

606/041000, 606/048000, 606/050000, 607/099000, 607/105000, 607/113000

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for creating a virtual electrode to ablate bodily tissue. The apparatus includes an outer tube, a first electrode, an inner tube and a second electrode. The outer tube is fluidly connected to a source of conductive fluid and defines a proximal end and a distal end. The distal end includes an opening for delivering conductive fluid from the outer tube. The first electrode is disposed at the distal end of the outer tube for applying a current to conductive fluid delivered from the outer tube. The inner tube is coaxially received within the outer tube and is connected to a source of conductive fluid. The inner tube defines a proximal end and a distal end, with the distal end forming an opening for delivering conductive fluid from the inner tube. Finally, the second electrode is disposed at the distal end of the inner tube for applying a current to conductive fluid delivered from the inner tube. With this configuration, upon final assembly, the distal end of the outer tube is axially spaced from the distal end of the inner tube such that the first electrode is spaced from the second electrode. As a result, a bi-polar virtual electrode can be established.

US Patent:

20010041921, Nov 15, 2001

Filed:

Jul 6, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/347636

Inventors:

PETER M.J. MULIER - STILLWATER MN, US
MICHAEL F. HOEY - SHOREVIEW MN, US

International Classification:

A61B018/04
A61F007/00

US Classification:

607/105000

Abstract:

A surgical apparatus for delivering a conductive fluid to a target site for ablating bodily tissue. The apparatus includes a tube fluidly connected to a source of conductive fluid. The tube defines a proximal portion, a distal portion and a central pathway. The central pathway extends from the proximal portion to the distal portion and is configured to direct flow of conductive fluid to the distal portion. The distal portion is configured for placement at a target site of bodily tissue and forms a helical slot. The helical slot is configured to allow flow of conductive fluid from the central pathway. Following delivery of the conductive fluid, an electrical current is applied to create a virtual electrode for ablating bodily tissue at the target site.

US Patent:

20020010463, Jan 24, 2002

Filed:

Sep 18, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/955496

Inventors:

Peter Mulier - Stillwater MN, US
Michael Hoey - Shoreview MN, US

Assignee:

Medtronic, Inc.

International Classification:

A61B018/14

US Classification:

606/041000

Abstract:

An electrocautery device is disclosed. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the electrocautery electrode/tip is provided with a hollow, conductive tube terminating at its distal end in a ball point type tip. Fluid, preferably conductive fluid, is applied to the proximal end of the hollow electrode/tip, and expelled from the distal end thereof during electrocautery. The ball point distal tip allows the distal tip to be directly applied to the tissue and “rolled” or slid along the tissue. This allows the distal tip to be moved across the tissue without dragging or snagging on the tissue. In addition, the conductive fluid expelled from the distal tip further lubricates the distal tip as it moves across the tissue. If conductive fluid is used, the conductive fluid emanating from the electrode/tip conducts the RF electrocautery energy away from the distal tip so that it is primarily the fluid, rather than the distal tip that actually accomplishes the cauterizing of tissue. That is, the fluid serves as a “virtual” electrocautery electrode. Since it is the fluid, rather than the distal tip that cauterizes, coagulates and ablates, no burns or perforations are made to the tissue, reducing the amount of debris at the site. Also, the flow of fluid through the electrode/tip tends to keep the distal tip clean and cool.

US Patent:

20020035387, Mar 21, 2002

Filed:

Aug 29, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/941458

Inventors:

Peter Mulier - Stillwater MN, US
Michael Hoey - Shoreview MN, US

Assignee:

Medtronic, Inc.

International Classification:

A61B018/18

US Classification:

607/105000, 606/041000, 128/898000

Abstract:

A surgical apparatus for delivering a conductive fluid to a target site for ablating bodily tissue. The apparatus includes a tube fluidly connected to a source of conductive fluid. The tube defines a proximal portion, a distal portion and a central pathway. The central pathway extends from the proximal portion to the distal portion and is configured to direct flow of conductive fluid to the distal portion. The distal portion is configured for placement at a target site of bodily tissue and forms a helical slot. The helical slot is configured to allow flow of conductive fluid from the central pathway. Following delivery of the conductive fluid, an electrical current is applied to create a virtual electrode for ablating bodily tissue at the target site.

US Patent:

20020049439, Apr 25, 2002

Filed:

Oct 22, 2001

Appl. No.:

10/014388

Inventors:

Peter Mulier - Stillwater MN, US
Michael Hoey - Shoreview MN, US
Richard Comben - St. Paul MN, US

Assignee:

Medtronic, Inc.

International Classification:

A61B018/14

US Classification:

606/041000, 607/105000, 607/113000

Abstract:

A surgical apparatus for delivering a conductive fluid to a target site for subsequent formation of a virtual electrode to ablate bodily tissue at the target site by applying a current to the delivered conductive fluid. The surgical apparatus includes an elongated device forming a helical needle. The helical needle is configured to engage bodily tissue and is hollow for delivering conductive fluid from a fluid source. Finally, the helical needle terminates in a needle tip. In one preferred embodiment, an electrode is associated with the helical needle for applying a current to conductive fluid delivered from the helical needle. During use, following delivery of conductive fluid, the electrode applies a current to the delivered conductive fluid for creating a virtual electrode. The virtual electrode ablates bodily tissue contacted by the conductive fluid.

US Patent:

20020058935, May 16, 2002

Filed:

Jul 6, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/347363

Inventors:

MICHAEL F. HOEY - SHOREVIEW MN, US
PETER M.J. MULIER - STILLWATER MN, US

International Classification:

A61B018/14

US Classification:

606/041000

Abstract:

The present invention provides an apparatus and a method for producing a virtual electrode within or upon a tissue to be treated with radiofrequency alternating electric current, such tissue including but not limited to liver, lung, cardiac, prostate, breast, and vascular tissue and neoplasms. An apparatus in accordance with the present invention includes a radiofrequency alternating electric current source and a radiofrequency ablating a fluid source. A surgical instrument is connected to both the current source and the fluid source for delivering a fluid and a current to a first portion of tissue to be ablated. The apparatus also includes a protective fluid source and a delivery system connected to the protective fluid source for delivery of protective fluid to a secondary portion of tissue whose ablation is not desired. A method in accordance with the present invention will include the steps of providing a radiofrequency ablating fluid to a first portion of tissue to be ablated, providing a radiofrequency alternating electric current to the first portion of tissue to be ablated, and providing a protective fluid to a second portion of tissue whose ablation is not desired.

US Patent:

20020161364, Oct 31, 2002

Filed:

Feb 7, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/071414

Inventors:

Peter Mulier - Stillwater MN, US
Michael Hoey - Shoreview MN, US

Assignee:

Medtronic, Inc. - Minneapolis MN

International Classification:

A61B018/18

US Classification:

606/049000

Abstract:

An electrosurgery medical device is enhanced with unique solution-assistance, and comprises, in combination, co-operating device jaws including jaw portions for manipulating tissue, and a plurality of solution infusion openings defined and spaced along each of the jaw portions, for receiving electrolytic solution and infusing the solution onto and into tissue to be manipulated, along said jaw portions. As preferred, the device further comprises at least one, and most preferably, many, longitudinal groove(s) along at least one and most preferably, both, of the jaw portions, with the solution infusion openings located in the groove or grooves. The solution is energized with RF energy and contributes to the functions and beneficial effects of the instrument. The solution exits the openings in the grooves at sufficient flow rates to separate substantially all the operative surfaces of the device from tissue, thereby substantially completely preventing adherence between the operative surfaces and tissue. The solution is further energized to a range of energy densities such that tissues to be affected are sealed against flow of blood, lymphatic fluids, air, and other bodily fluids and gases.